Ox skull, freehand fullbody suit

This view of his ox skull with an orchid mind's eye is a part of a full freehand bodysuit I have worked on for three years. My client from Chicago spends three days at a time getting his work done. He has met me at conventions around the country and been one of the most dedicated people I've ever met to completing his work. It's comprised of the animals from the Chinese zodiac calendar. Years of the Ox, Snake, Rat, Monkey, and Dog. I have drawn everything on his body and tied things together with elements like birth flowers from each person represented which are himself, his wife and their three children. Water, wind, petals, and mandala patterns overlap and provide background for the entire piece. We have over one hundred hours invested and I'm not sure how many more are required. We are refining areas now in what I can the "push and pull" phase of the project. I'm honored and humbled to be doing this work.